Adopt A Block

Old Saybrook Official Hopes Example Of Family Will Spur Others To Clean Up

March 05, 1996|By GARY LIBOW; Courant Staff Writer

OLD SAYBROOK — For the past four weekends, Schoolhouse Road resident Greg Bonin and his 7-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, have spent several hours ridding their neighborhood of litter.

First Selectman Laurence Reney kicked off an ``Adopt A Neighborhood'' program Monday, urging residents throughout town to follow the example set by the Bonin family in keeping their communities tidy.

``This could be the start of something good,'' said Reney, noting that the board of selectmen is seeking volunteers from the 32 different neighborhoods in town.

It is important for residents to make the time and effort to keep Old Saybrook sparkling, said Reney, who would like to enlist volunteers from Chalker Beach, Indian Town, Fenwood, Knollwood, North Cove, Floral Park, Ferry Point and a host of other communities.

A resident since 1966, Bonin said he has noticed litter problems throughout town. Deciding to set an example for his daughter, Bonin and Kaitlyn have devoted three to four hours the past few weekends, hauling off three to four small pickup truck loads of garbage to the landfill.

The two have properly disposed of a battery, old tires, loads of beer cans and an estimated 30 to 40 vodka bottles, Bonin said. He thinks Schoolhouse Road is particularly prone to garbage because it is the major route to the landfill.

So far, the two have cleaned the busy roadway from the Westbrook border to the town park. Bonin hopes to have spanned the road by mid-spring.

``I'd love to have some more help,'' he said. ``I'd like to see it happen. It's a lot nicer going down the street seeing no garbage.''

Bonin says Kaitlyn has been a real trouper.

``She's a worker, and she's into the environment,'' he said.

Kaitlyn said she enjoys making a difference with her dad. ``It can help make the earth cleaner,'' she said.

Wilma Asch, director of town economic development, credits the Bonins for working to better the town's quality of life.

``It's a big plus,'' she said, hoping ``Adopt A Neighborhood'' snowballs. ``It says `We like ourselves' and `We are proud of ourselves.'''

Reney asks that any individual, family or organization interested in adopting a section of town should call or write him at town hall. The address is 302 Main St. The phone number is 395-3123.